THE EASE & JOY OF MORNINGS (December 2018)

Join Kozan for “Ease and Joy of Mornings,” December 16—a quiet morning designed to introduce you to the art of zazen. It is an ideal entryway for beginners and even intermediate or long-time meditators who want a refresher course on this “dharma gate of joy and ease” as described by Zen Master, Dogen-Zenji.

Upaya Chaplaincy Podcast Collection #1

The Upaya Buddhist Chaplaincy Training is a visionary and comprehensive two-year program for a new kind of chaplaincy intended to serve individuals, communities, the environment, and the world. The program is open to those who wish to prepare to serve as chaplains as well as those who wish to deepen their understanding of service from a Buddhist and systems perspective.

We have gathered some of the most inspiring and deeply moving podcasts from the Chaplaincy faculty for you to listen to: Roshi Joan Halifax, Bernie Glassman, Hozan Alan Senauke, Fleet Maull, Joshin Byrnes, and Cheri Maples.

If you are interested in joining the Upaya Chaplaincy Program, contact the co-directors: Joshin Byrnes, orÁine McCarthy atchaplaincy@upaya.org.

Bernie-Roshi reflects on three periods of his life, each marked by stepping beyond limited “clubs” into ever wider and less sure circles of caring engagement. He speaks of nonduality as not-knowing, freedom to think and feel outside grooved categories — a state provoked both by Zen koans and by “plunges” into deeply unfamiliar circumstances. He takes several questions from the audience and confides the exciting new insight he had just yesterday. Roshi Joan prefaces Bernie’s talk with an appreciation of her teacher.

Sensei Alan begins this Dharma talk with a song, whose chorus is taken from a story from Chapter 20 of the Lotus Sutra. For Sensei Alan, this simple phrase is at the heart of Zen practice and is more complex than meets the eye. It doesn’t mean “I will give you everything you need,” but rather it is a vow to respond again and again. It is an intention to help and a willingness to “open the door, let you in, have a cup of tea, and listen.”

Fleet begins this dharma talk by discussing his position as an optimist, while also recognizing many of the issues, struggles and challenges that the world faces in this modern day. How do we as individuals navigate through these challenges? How can our Buddhist practice, along with mindfulness, have an impact on the external world?

“Kind of Eternal: A Broad Introduction to Zen Meditation”Joshin Byrnes
During a half-day intro to Zen meditation, Joshin gives a short, sweet talk about journeys of return. In Zen we return home to just this unadorned moment — this slight breath which is the site of a great spiritual journey. It’s the very place where we discover “eternity, intimacy, purity and joy.”

“Engaging Ourselves, Engaging Our World”Cheri Maples
As a spiritual teacher, Cheri notes that no one ever asks her what to do when they are happy and content. She is, however, frequently asked how to work with challenging emotions. She is also asked how to bring ones practice into the world, workplaces, organizations, communities and social justice movements without getting burned out. In this talk Cheri addresses these two questions.

To help keep these podcasts freely available, we hope you will consider making a suggested donation of $25 to ourDharma Podcast Fund.